Hopes of saving the Saltburn-Newcastle rail link from savage reductions soared today after Transport Minister Kim Howells gave his support.

He has promised to tell Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) chairman Richard Bowker there is a "compelling case" to maintain the present service, boosting the campaign to save the service after Teesside MPs spelled out the importance of the route which has seen big rises in passenger numbers.

The Strategic Rail Authority is threatening to cut the service from 20 trips a day to just four.

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland's Labour MP Ashok Kumar, Stockton South MP Dari Taylor and Redcar MP Vera Baird, pointed out that the route serves daily commuters and is a vital link to university campuses and increasingly tourists.

As well as the MPs, nearly 5,000 locals opposed to the plans signed a petition urging the SRA to retain the existing service.